Edwin Thomas Salt (1825 - 1910)

Born Mar 1825 in England, United Kingdom

Husband of Mary Anne (Hall) Salt — married 6 Nov 1848 in Warwickshire, England, United Kingdom

Husband of Katherine (O'Neill) Salt — married 1866 in Perth, Western Australia, Australia

Husband of Annie Frances (Edwards) Salt — married 18 Sep 1877 in Perth, Western Australia, Australia

Descendants

Died 29 Aug 1910 at age 85 in Fremantle, Western Australia, Australia

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Biography

This profile is part of the Salt Name Study.

Edwin Salt was a convict after the Third Fleet transported to Western Australia

Edwin was born in 1825. He passed away in 1910.

Edwin Thomas Salt was found guilty, before the High Court of Justiciary at Edinburgh, of the murder of his wife, Mary Anne Hall, in 1860. He was transported to Western Australia 30 Sep 1861, arrived 28 Jan 1862 aboard the "Lincelles".

He married twice more. He married Katherine (O'Neill) Curtin in 1866 in Perth. ^[1]

He married Annie Francis Edwards in 1877.^[2] They stayed together until 1907, whereupon they are found in court, Annie charging him with desertion, both seemingly no longer completely sound of mind, and Edwin possibly being manipulated by others. There did not seem to be any satisfactory resolution to be found, but then in 1910 Edwin passed away, and left Annie £149.

Annie passed away in 1914.

Sources

1. ↑ Department of Justice BDM Edwin Thomas SALT, Katherine Curtin (previous marriage) Marriage Registration

   Surname: Salt

   Given Names: Edwin Thos

   Sex: Male

   Spouse Surname: Curtin

   Spouse Given Names: Katherine

   Spouse Sex: Female

   Place of Marriage: Perth

   Registration District: -

   Registration Number: 2403

   Registration Year 1866

2. ↑ WA BDM Marriage

   Surname: Salt

   Given Names: Edwin Thomas

   Sex: Male

   Spouse Surname: Edwards

   Spouse Given Names: Annie Frances

   Spouse Sex: Female

   Place of Marriage: Perth

   Registration Number: 4384

   Registration Year:1877

• 1910 'Family Notices', The West Australian (Perth, WA : 1879 - 1954), 12 September, p. 1. , viewed 27 Mar 2020, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article26290710 "On August 29, at the residence of his son-in-law and daughter, Mr. and Mrs. George Johnson, 44 Ellen-street, Fremantle, Edwin Thomas Salt, aged 85 years and 5 months" Birth and Death Dates.

• 1860 'MISCELLANEOUS.', The Cornwall Chronicle (Launceston, Tas. : 1835 - 1880), 25 April, p. 2. , viewed 27 Mar 2020, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article65990833 Guilty of Murder

• Australia Convict Records Index, 1787-1867. State Library of Queensland, South Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. https://convictrecords.com.au/: accessed Sep 2017
  • Name: Edwin Thomas Salt.
  • Conviction Place: Scotland, Edinburgh High Court of Justiciary.
  • Departure Date: 30 Sep 1861.
  • Arrival Date: 28 Jan 1862.
  • Arrival Place: Western Australia.
  • Arrival Ship: Lincelles.

Notes

Crown Office Precognitions

• Title: Precognition against Edwin Thomas Salt
• Year: 1860
• NRS Reference: AD14/60/269
• Related Documents: JC26/1860/277

Accused

• Name and Designation: Edwin Thomas Salt, excise officer, Juniper Green,
• Age: 34
• Birthplace: Currie, Midlothian
• Crime: Murder
• Crime Location: Juniper Green, Edinburgh

Victim(s)

• Name and Designation: Mary Ann Salt, wife of Edwin Thomas Salt (accused), Juniper Green.
• Age:
• Birthplace: Colinton, Midlothian
• Crime: Murder.
• Crime Location: Juniper Green, Edinburgh

• 1860

Edwin Thomas Salt was found guilty, before the High Court of Justiciary at Edinburgh, of the murder of his wife. The man and woman had, it appeared, lived unhappily together for some time past, he was sentenced to death, the execution to take place on the 6th of next month, 1860 'MISCELLANEOUS.', The Cornwall Chronicle (Launceston, Tas. : 1835 - 1880), 25 April, p. 2. , viewed 27 Mar 2020, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article65990833

• 1860

The Cardiff and Merthyr Guardian Glamorgan Monmouth and Brecon Gazette 10 March 1860 Page 7

The convict Edwin Thomas Salt, who was to have been executed on Tuesday at Edinburgh, for the murder of his wife, has been respited until further significance of Her Majesty's pleasure. It is expected that the sentence will be commuted to penal servitude for life.

• 1860

The North Wales Chronicle and Advertiser for the Principality 10 March 1860 Page 6

COMMUTATION OF SENTENCE, Edwin Thomas Salt, sentenced to death for the murder of his wife, at the last sitting of the Edinburgh Justiciary Court, has had his sentence commuted to penal servitude for life.

• 1862

The Daily News (Perth, WA : 1882 - 1950) Thursday 1 May 1884 p 3

• Name: Edwin Thomas Salt
• Conviction Place: Scotland, Edinburgh High Court of Justiciary
• Departure Date: 30 Sep 1861
• Arrival Date: 28 Jan 1862
• Arrival Place: Western Australia
• Arrival Ship: Lincelles

POLICE GAZETTE - October 1878

• EDWIN THOMAS SALT, c.p., 6101, stout, age 52, 5ft. 5in. high, grey hair, blue eyes, round visage, florid complexion, scar left hand and over right eye ; charged on warrant issued at Perth, l lth inst., with assaulting his wife, Annie Francis Salt, the night of the 10th inst.

• EDWIN THOMAS SALT, c.p., 6101, at Perth, on l l th inst., by L.C. Connors. Bound over to keep the peace for 6 months, two sureties in £20 each

• PRISONERS DISCHARGED - Week ending Saturday, 19th October, 1878, Offence: Failing to find sureties to keep the peace - Sentence: 6 months - Location: Perth - Discharged: 18th. (bail.)

https://slwa.wa.gov.au/sites/default/files/187810_m.pdf

End of Life Domestic Strife

1907

Truth (Perth, WA : 1903 - 1931) Saturday 15 June 1907 p 3

TWO OLD SALTS. A SOMEWHAT SAD STORY.

Edwin and Annie Separated

After 30 Years of Wedded Strife.

"Father" Refuses to Return — Annie Wants Alimony — Some Family History—Property Division—Causes a Difficulty—Which the Court Endeavors to Adjust—An Order Made.

"Edwin T. Salt!" said the crier at the Central Police Court on Friday last, and a tottering, partially paralysed, grey bearded old man was led forward by Lawyer Darbyshire. The ancient one proved to be nearly stone deaf and Sergeant Thomas had to give his lungs full play when reading over the charge which was to the effect that he, Edwin T. Salt had, since Feb. last deserted his wife, Annie Frances Salt, and left her without means of support. The old chap only shook his head and Lawyer Darbyshire said that he appeared for him and pleaded not guilty.

Mr. Russell, who appeared for the claimant, who is a cripple, 65 years of age, then outlined the case. He said that the aged couple were two well-known identities of Perth, the husband having for many years acted as gatekeeper at the William - street Railway Crossing.

The parties were married over 30 years ago and until February last had lived happily together. Just previously to that time the old chap took sick and as his wife was in a crippled state and could not give him proper attention he was removed to the hospital. Whilst there his mind became slightly unhinged.

He subsequently recovered, but when he came out in February he refused to maintain his wife and had gone to live with a daughter at Fremantle. According to Mr. Russell, his client had worked hard to bring up a family which the ancient Salt had by a previous wife. Some years ago she had received £360 from him, being a small portion of the proceeds from the sale of a block of land.

The bench (Messrs. Elliott and Lapsley, J.'sP.,) asked if the difference "couldn't be fixed up mutually without them hearing evidence, but Mr. Darbyshire stated that his 83-year-old client had lived for years in dread of his wife, who had threatened to take his life. Which seemed a pretty tall tale to ring in seeing that they had lived together for over 30 years, and to all appearances had no serious difference until the poor old chap became mentally deranged.

Mrs. Salt who, despite her years and infirmity, is a voluble old lady, then started to tell her tale. She had been 41 years in this State, and was married to "father," as she called him, over 30 years ago. "He was sent out here for a terrible crime, and has led me a terrible life." Just here the bench managed to check her flow of reminiscences or we might have been able to record some incidents of ancient history. However, from her tale it appears that "father" had a block of land in Lord-street at the time of the marriage, but there was money owing on it. She had worked hard to keep things going, and now, in their old days, they were parted. "I don't know." she said, "who is at the bottom of this, whether it is his daughter or the Johnsons, or Mr. Darbyshire," and she cast a withering glance at "father's" legal adviser.

The bench at this stage made another effort to get the couple to come to terms. Father Salt was asked: "Will you go back and live with your wife?"

"No," he said, "I was told at the hospital not to go, they told me not to go near her, three surgeons said that if I went back to her they would lock me up. She wants all my bits of things, and I have been a hard-working man in this town for 46 years. They'll lock me up if I go back." At this stage the poor old fellow started to sob. It was quite evident that his mind is far from clear, and certainly those responsible for causing the present trouble between the grey old man and his wife, whether relatives or otherwise, are worthy of the severest censure.

It subsequently transpired that the Lord-street block of land was sold for £1500 in 1903. Of that amount £200 went to paying off a mortgage on it, £400 was given the old lady, and of the balance £350 was out on loan and "father" was receiving £26 10s. per year interest on it. The old lady bought a farm with her divvy., but like most ventures of a similar kind in this State of sand and scrub it had proved anything but a payable speculation. Although, according to the old lady's version, that farm is going to be a veritable golden hole in a few years' time, but her trouble was to know how she was going to live until the golden stream started to flow in from the holding. She was living in "father's" house out at Victoria Park, but a house was not much good to her unless there was some means of keeping tucker in the cupboard.

After trying by every means in their power to fetch the aged pair together again, the bench made an order for 10s. per week, and the old lady to have possession of all furniture now in the house at Victoria Park, the idea being that she might remove it to the farm and live there. It was a pitiful case, which should never have been brought into court, and if Salt's children had possessed any respect for their parents, they would never have allowed it to go so far. This paper does not hesitate to express the opinion that there is much behind the case which did not come out in court. Neither of the old people can hope for a much longer lease of life, but their property remains behind. Perhaps the inevitable quarrel over the division of the spoil has already begun.

1908

COMEDY OR TRAGEDY?

SIR WALTER JAMES ABUSED, 'A QUEEN HAS BEEN EATEN BY THE DOGS FOR DOING LESS THAN YOU ARE DOING NOW.'

At the Perth Police Court, before Mr. A. S. Roe P.M., this morning, Edwin Thomas Salt was sued by his wife for disobeying an order of the court to pay 15s. a week maintenance.

The complainant was not represented by counsel. Sir Walter James, K.C., with him Mr. Lohrmann, appeared for the defendant, who was not present

On entering the witness-box the complainant, an aged woman, commenced an oration in a very illogical manner, and emphasised her points by dexterous hand and head movements, regarding Sir Walter James and Mr. Lohrmann, with the utmost scorn.

Sir Walter said that the defendant, who was an old man, was almost bedridden, and had been in this state for some time past. The old man was willing to sell their property at Donnybrook, and share the proceeds with the complainant, who was in a better position to support herself than the defendant.

The Complainant: You're telling a tissue of lies. A queen has been eaten by the dogs for doing less than you are doing now. You — -

Sergt. Thomas, perceiving that she was about to commence another oration: 'Will you keep quiet?'

Mr. Roe: Perhaps it would be better for the old man to go to gaol until the order, for maintenance is set aside.

Sir Walter James stated that if the farm at Donnybrook were sold the defendant could pay the 15s. a week maintenance out of the proceeds.

Complainant: You are not dealing with Mrs. Tracey now? (Laughter.)

She then went off at a tangent, and intimated that she had written to King Edward, telling him that it was a disgrace that Sir Walter James had been knighted.

The complainant was told to leave the witness-box, but on promising to keep quiet, she was allowed to remain in court, taking up a position where she could keep her eyes fixed on those of the defendant counsel.

Mr. Roe (to defendant counsel) : Is it true that in August the old man drew £100?

Mr. Lohrmann said that, some time ago this money had gone to the defendant. He thought it was in August, 1907.

Complainant said Mr. Curtis had paid the money to her husband only two months ago. Mr. Curtis was representing her, but he was obliged to be at the Supreme Court to-day.

At this stage George Johnson, a son-in-law to Mr. and Mrs. Salt, appeared in court and said that sometime this year £95 6s. 8d. had been received.

Running to Sergt. Thomas, and touching him gently on the shoulder, complainant said, "I never got a penny from the farm for two years." Speaking more confidentially to him, she said softly, "Listen."

The Sergeant looked embarrassed, and the old woman thinking it would be better not to make a secret of what she at first wished to only tell the sergeant, said, "That is not all the money he has got. He has a house and five rooms at Victoria Park. It was purchased for £300."

Sir Walter James: I understand that his farm- — '

Complainant: You never had anything to do with a farm in your life.

Casting her eyes with the utmost contempt and indignation on George Johnson, she said, "Yes, they're living on our money. "He", witness continued, gazing more witheringly on Johnson, "could never keep his wife." Seizing her umbrella, which she had brought into court, possibly with the intention of annihilating Sir Walter James, and was about to give further evidence of what she termed the injustice she had been subjected to, when the sergeant, with a view of delaying the proceedings, told her he wished to ask a question.

Complainant (loudly): Yea,

Sergt Thomas: What do you estimate the farm to be worth?

Complainant: I don't know.

Have you refused £750 for it?.

Complainant (loudly): No, certainly not.

Becoming comparatively calm, the old woman again enlisted the sergeant as her confidant, remarking, "What about the house; it was valued at £260?" She then rested both her hands on his shoulders, and was about to pour secrets in his ear.

Sergeant Thomas: Let us talk about the farm. Immediately he had said this, however, he recognised how utterly futile it would be. He said, "You have a solicitor?" Then he looked pleadingly at Mr. Roe, who understood the situation exactly, and said that the case would be adjourned for one week in order to allow Mr. Curtis to appear, and he suggested to Sir Walter that some satisfactory arrangement might be made in the meantime.

Complainant: I am very thankful. I will go now.

She seemed very reluctant to leave the court, however, but when a constable gently pushed her towards the door she turned round and remarked to him savagely, "I will get away."

Sir Walter rose to make a few brief remarks, but the complainant was not yet out of court, and was listening attentively. Suddenly she turned around, and, addressing Mr. Roe, said, "You mustn't believe all he (meaning Sir Walter James) tells you." Then, with a wave of her umbrella and kissing her hand to Sergeant Thomas, she departed with head erect. Within ten minutes the court was almost fully restored to order again.

Death

• 1910 'Family Notices', The West Australian (Perth, WA : 1879 - 1954), 30 August, p. 1. , viewed 27 Mar 2020, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article26289607

SALT.—The Friends of the late Mr. Edwin Thomas Salt, tailor, late of Lord-street, Perth, and of Fremantle, are respectfully invited to follow his remains to the place of interment, the Anglican portion of the Fremantle Cemetery. The Funeral is appointed to leave the residence of his daughter, Mrs. George Johnson, 44 Ellen-street, Fremantle, at 3 o'clock TO-MORROW (Wednesday) AFTERNOON.

DONALD J. CHIPPER, Funeral Director,

Adelaide-street, Fremantle. Tel. 438.

• 1910 'Family Notices', The West Australian (Perth, WA : 1879 - 1954), 12 September, p. 1. , viewed 27 Mar 2020, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article26290710

SALT.—On August 29, at the residence of his son-in-law and daughter, Mr. and Mrs. George Johnson, 44 Ellen-street, Fremantle, Edwin Thomas Salt, aged 85 years and 5 months, late of Lord-street, Perth (tailor).

His end was peace. South Australian papers please copy.

In Edwin Thomas Salt's Will, Anna Frances Salt was left 149 pounds